Despite the recurring haze spell that has been affecting Brunei Darussalam over the last few weeks, a spokesperson for Brunei's Meteorological Service yesterday said it was nothing to be alarmed about.According to the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation yesterday's PSI stood at 26 in Brunei-Muara, 32 in Belait, not available in Temburong and 12 in Tutong, all in the 'good' range.
"The haze we are currently facing is nowhere near as bad as the one we experienced in 1998," the spokesperson said.
With the smoke originating from parts of Kalimantan, he said the current haze levels are "light to moderate" and expects it to stay like this for several weeks.
The department's website reported it to be slightly hazy apart from chance of isolated thundershowers or squally showers occasionally crossing the sea and land areas throughout the forecast period, with today's outlook remaining "mainly hazy".
Brunei experienced its worst haze back in 1998. The resultant smog forced the intermittent closure of Brunei's international airport for a two-week period as well as local schools.
Visibility in the capital was frequently reduced to about 150 metres and with pollution readings set almost permanently above the hazardous level, sale of protective facemasks and air purifiers boomed.
Alarm over the situation prompted a significant number of expatriates, mainly dependent families, to leave the country.
Foreign diplomatic missions took action too. The American Embassy decided to allow its staff to go abroad for regular two-week rest breaks throughout the period of the haze.
